Reconstructionist Judaism

Reconstructionist Judaism

The Reconstructionist movement is the result of Kaplan’s lifelong effort to create a Judaism that could bring the culture, community, and spirituality of the Jewish people forward and make it meaningful in a world of science, reason, and cultural diversity. “A people can live,” Kaplan said, “as long as it can reconstruct its life to meet changing conditions.” Striking a balance between respect for tradition, and the recognition that in the modern world not all aspects of tradition are relevant or meaningful, Reconstructionism seeks to do what Kaplan felt the Jewish people have done throughout our history — re-examine and re-invent tradition to make it vital in a particular time and place.

Kaplan described Judaism as the evolving religious civilization of the Jewish people, and he encouraged American Jews to live fully in two civilizations — the Jewish and the American. In practice this means respecting tradition — but having a willingness to modify it when that makes sense. It means working to preserve the Jewish “religious civilization” and to enhance it by borrowing the best of modern American civilization, as Kaplan did when he celebrated the world’s first bat mitzvah at the SAJ in 1922.

Come to the SAJ and experience our ongoing reconstruction of Judaism to mesh our desire for traditional observance with our 21st-century needs.

We’re very pleased to send each new member a free copy of Exploring Judaism: A Reconstructionist Approach, by Rabbis Rebecca T. Alpert and Jacob J. Staub, published by the Reconstructionist Press.

All Humans Beings are Made in the Divine Image

welcome to the sAJ community

We’re a community that believes it’s possible to lead a 21st-century life that is deeply rooted in both Jewish tradition and contemporary civilization. Judaism helps us find meaning and inspiration as we seek to lead lives committed to spiritual growth, social justice, and building community. We welcome the richness that diversity brings to this community, where we learn about, struggle with, and even question our Judaism as we continue to "reconstruct" it for our times.

New Sanctuary Movement Accompaniment Training Tuesday, Oct 17th 6:00p to 8:30pThe New Sanctuary Coalition of NYC is an interfaith network of congregations, organizations, and individuals, standing publicly in solidarity with families and communities at risk for detention and deportation. This training gives you the skills and information needed to accompany immigrants and help them in these precarious times.

Mussar: Ethics & Jewish Living Thursday, Nov 2nd 7:00p to 9:00p“Making the heart feel
what the mind understands.”
Rabbinic Intern David Eber will lead a four-part traditional and contemporary class on the Jewish perspective of being our best selves.
Mussar is a field of study that emerged in 19thCentury Lithuania to help examine and cultivate character traits through classical Jewish traits of Kavod (respect), Hesed (Loving kindness), Seder (Order) and others. Class includes self-reflection and mindfulness.

Mussar: Ethics & Jewish Living Thursday, Nov 16th 7:00p to 9:00p“Making the heart feel
what the mind understands.”
Rabbinic Intern David Eber will lead a four-part traditional and contemporary class on the Jewish perspective of being our best selves.
Mussar is a field of study that emerged in 19thCentury Lithuania to help examine and cultivate character traits through classical Jewish traits of Kavod (respect), Hesed (Loving kindness), Seder (Order) and others. Class includes self-reflection and mindfulness.

Mussar: Ethics & Jewish Living Thursday, Nov 30th 7:00p to 9:00p“Making the heart feel
what the mind understands.”
Rabbinic Intern David Eber will lead a four-part traditional and contemporary class on the Jewish perspective of being our best selves.
Mussar is a field of study that emerged in 19thCentury Lithuania to help examine and cultivate character traits through classical Jewish traits of Kavod (respect), Hesed (Loving kindness), Seder (Order) and others. Class includes self-reflection and mindfulness.